2

~Dawn

It took me at least two minutes to figure out where I was when I next opened my eyes.

I haven’t stared at a ceiling in a long time. There has also never been something so comfortable and soft underneath me, or warm wrapped around me, since I ran away. The feeling is awfully daunting, and for a good moment, I am paralysed. And not from the drugs Rylan’s little team must have feed me last night. 

I sit up slowly, rubbing a mildly aching head. This is the first time I have let Rylan get to me. I shouldn’t have went in for the meeting...I know better then that.

Sliding my legs out of bed, I look down, and cringe. 

I've been put in a silky white nightgown made of pure satin. It reaches to my mid thigh, the trim pasted with baby blue lace. It breathes the Purity Pack, and all Rylan’s wealth he is willing to waste on a fugitive. What did he do with my other clothes? I only have two different pairs I switch between every few days. 

My wrists are slightly raw from the handcuffs, although, I'm glad they weren’t silver.

As I stand, I look around the room. Honestly, I expected him to throw me into some dark prison out of fear, or keep me handcuffed. Instead, I have been gifted a beautiful room. My feet that haven’t touched the soft strands of carpet in a year are as grateful as my eyes, as they drink in the sight of a room that many would probably not faze the normal person. Four walls around me, and some windows is enough to remind me of what I left behind him.

As much as I miss the comfort, I feel on edge. There is no way I’m staying here any longer then I have to. I’m getting out here now.

Grabbing under the ridge of the window, I try heave it up. Of course, it’ locked. Glancing around, there are two doors to this small room, that has been dressed only with a dresser and small desk. The colour scheme is a white and a simple pasty blue, like the lace on my gown. I wander to the first door, and it opens easily.

It’s a bathroom. Another common commodity I have lived without.

The tiles feel cool under my feet, as I step into the lavish room. I try to imagine this building from the outside, after all the times I have observed it. His estate is almost as large as the forest that borders it, which leaves me little room to fully determine whereabouts I am within it. This also limits my ability to escape. If I am east of the building, I have no chance to get past his guards.

I allow myself a few seconds to admire the shower that looks a lot more inviting than the river I am used to, before I check the second door. Convinced it wasn’t going to work, my heart falls, until it opens with the slightest touch.

Am I dreaming? Was it really Rylan who took me, or a kinder soul?

Wandering out, I really have no idea of where I am going. I take a few doors here and there, but every time I am back in a hallway that looks exactly the same as every other one I have seen. Eventually, I became so painfully lost I begin hitting every wall I bypass, wishing it was my head on it instead. 

Perhaps this is Rylan’s sick version of torture. Have me wander around aimlessly until I go borderline insane. It's working.

Coming to a stop, I exhale and defeat, before sliding my back down the wall, my head falling into my hands. 

“Giving up already?”

For whatever reason, Rylan’s didn't startle me, as if I expected it. He leaned against the wall in a casual manner, watching me curiously with those crystal eyes. How long has he been standing there for? How long has he been mocking my defeat, as I press myself into the wall to avoid continuing down these infuriating hallways. 

“Leave me alone,” I growled irritably. “If you're not letting me out of this place, then I don't even want to see you.”

Instead of dealing with him, I should be finding my way out. Now I'm lost, and under his ridicule. 

He sighs deeply, moving to walk in front of me. I can be very stubborn at times, as I meet his gaze, making sure to hold it firmly. This man will not get the better of me here, even if it is his territory. He cheated in this sickening game of cat mouse, and he's supposed to be the Alpha of Purity. 

Purity my ass. 

“I know this is hard-”

“Hard?” I spat in disbelief. “You tricked me, and lied to me, and dragged me here against my will to be your little pet. Fate did a terrible job pairing us together.”

Rylan bit the edge of his lip as he thought. My breathing is rougher around the edges, I try read his expression. All I can see is the impassive features that spell out nothing to me. He is too busy mulling over my words, watching me intently. 

“You're not well, Dawn. I'm doing this to keep you safe, before you get even more sick from the life you're forcing onto yourself,” Rylan says carefully. 

I grit my teeth together. 

“I look at you, and it pains me,” he continues. “Seeing you deteriorate in front of me. You don't deserve that.”

His words sent heat through my veins. I'm not sure if I should be angry at him, or if I should just accept it, since I've been considering that for quite some time. Recently, I haven't been the same in climbing, running and stealing. ? I have been getting sick what if what Rylan’s been saying is true? Who knows what will happen to me. 

“I'll feel better when I'm back home, with my sister,” I tell him, knowing at least that much is true. 

Lucy is only ten years old, and she's alone out there. If I hate myself for meeting Rylan, I hate myself for leaving her more. She's strong though; she will be fine on her own. 

Rylan looks thoughtful. “You could always bring her here…”

“Not an option.”

Rylan hasn't met Lucy yet. Lucky him. She's hates him more than she hates the idea of living in a forest, with fallen leaves for bedding and a stream for a bath. My poor sister is forced to retaliate against plenty of the guards he sends for me. 

“Why not? Don't you want her to be safe?” Rylan questions, his eyebrows creasing. Him being this close to me makes me a little nervous. 

Naturally, I'm attracted to Rylan. There is no denying that fact. 

The mate bond - no matter how much I dislike it - is something undeniable. Fate chose Rylan to be the one who I crave and want for. I've been trying everyday to prove that wrong. 

“She doesn't want to be locked up, forced to pray to a Goddess she doesn't believe in,” I tell him forcefully. 

“I've told you, I don't expect that from either of you,” he tells me softly.

Lies. 

“You have proven that you liked me locked up, in an unfamiliar place all alone. You haven't given me a reason to trust you, just yet,” I tell him honestly, raising an eyebrow. 

He smoothly stands, before he holds his hand or to me. I stare at it. 

“Come on, you must be hungry. When was the last time you ate something decent?” Rylan asks, his eyes filling with warmth. The first semblance of realism I have seen on him so far. Otherwise, he is a cold Alpha who would rather me locked up like and kept pretty like a doll. 

I'm not going to touch him. It might just ruin me. 

So I stand by myself, using the wall behind me as leverage. I feel a little nervous being dressed so inappropriately around Rylan like this, however, I'm not completely uncomfortable. Still, I want my old clothes back. 

“Fine, I'll eat, then I'm leaving,” I tell him. I need something from this, right? Maybe I can even steal something to bring back to Lucy. 

Rylan smiles slightly. “We’ll see about that.”

This place seems completely abandoned, as Rylan walks me through his house until we make it to an eating area. Does he live here alone? He allows me to sit at the head of the table, even pulling the oak wood chair out for me. Manners don't exist where I've been. 

“Feeling like anything in particular?” Rylan asks over his shoulder, as he walks toward the kitchen. 

With my hand folded over my lap, I quickly check the room for exits. None, unless I count the door we came from, but I saw nothing on our walk. Perhaps I could jump out the massive stained glass windows with my shoulder as a shield against the glass. It would take less than few second for him to find me again, though…

“Food,” I say, and Rylan chuckles. 

While he gets my food, I sit there like a proper lady would, taking myself by surprise. Anarchy would be simple to start right now, but I'm planning on gaining this Alpha’s trust. 

Rylan walks back in, visibly surprised to see me still sitting here. He slides a plate of food in front of me. 

“So what happens now?” I question, after taking my first bite of the fresh fruit he had supplied. Being the first real food that isn't dried fruit and stale bread for quite some time, I relish in the delicious taste. 

Rylan sighs. “We sort things out between each other. We find your sister. “

“What if I told her I didn't know where she is?” I say coyly, swallowing a spoonful of bigger grapefruit flesh.  

“I wouldn't believe you.”

Rylan and I stare at each other for a moment, wordlessly. As much as his eyes are easy to get lost in, the anger within me keeps everything quelled. 

“Listen, this isn't going to work. You can't keep me here as your mate, without me wanting to escape at every time of the day,” I tell him firmly. 

Rylan has a talent for switching moods in an instant. One minute, he's calm, and soft, when the next, he is hard and cold. Right now, he looks angry, with good reason. It's not the kind of angry normal people have, though. This is distant, and brooding, that suggests he's thinking some wicked things in his mind. 

“I don't want to do this, however, I have little choice,” Rylan says carefully. “I'm trying to help and protect you. I want you to have a good life, in safety and health.”

“If you cared about me, you wouldn't hold me down,” I tell him. 

All of a sudden, Rylan reaches for me, but I flinch back. Respectfully, he retracted his hand. 

“I do care, Dawn,” he says smoothly. “Let me show you how much.”